The Truth Inside Veritas — Part 1

Nick Shirley’s video documents the internal conflict at Project Veritas that culminated in founder James O’Keefe’s suspension in February 2023, presenting testimony from a deposition and alleging misconduct by board members and staff.

The Lead-Up to Crisis

According to Nick Shirley, the conflict began after Project Veritas released what the organization characterized as a major undercover story involving a Pfizer executive. Shirley alleges that one week after this story gained significant attention, the board turned on O’Keefe. Shirley claims the timing was suspicious, suggesting board members may have seized the moment when the organization was at “the apex of everything.”

Shirley documents that prior tensions had been building. He alleges O’Keefe fired Barry Hinckley, the CFO at the time, over disagreements about fundraising approach, reportedly telling Hinckley “you’re fired” in front of other staff members. Shirley contends this termination created resentment among employees and set the stage for what he characterizes as a coordinated effort by board members to remove O’Keefe.

The Board’s Actions

According to Shirley’s account, board member Tom O’Hara sent an email to O’Keefe while he was boarding a plane to Nashville, outlining an emergency board meeting agenda that included terminating the CEO. Shirley alleges this was a setup, claiming O’Keefe had no advance notice of the planned action.

Shirley alleges that board members, particularly Matt Tiermon and Joe Barton, orchestrated a coordinated campaign against O’Keefe. He claims Tiermon collected grievances from employees ahead of the February 6th meeting and that board members communicated with staff in ways that violated typical nonprofit governance. Shirley presents testimony suggesting board members were financially invested in companies alongside Tiermon, which he suggests created misaligned incentives.

The February 6th Meeting

Shirley describes a marathon 6.5-hour board meeting where he alleges approximately 16 employees were brought in to air grievances against O’Keefe. According to Shirley’s account, O’Keefe was given minimal opportunity to respond to allegations, which ranged from his use of black car services and helicopter travel to claims about his leadership style.

Shirley presents O’Keefe’s prepared apology letter, in which O’Keefe allegedly acknowledged handling a confrontation with Hinckley poorly. However, Shirley claims the board rejected this gesture and continued the grievance session regardless.

According to Shirley, the allegations presented included claims about:

• Expensive accommodations and transportation (black cars, helicopter rides)
• Allegedly rude behavior toward donors
• Management style concerns
• Claims about O’Keefe’s girlfriend’s appearance raised in the boardroom

Shirley alleges that some accusations lacked credibility, including a claim that O’Keefe took a pregnant employee’s sandwich. In testimony presented by Shirley, O’Keefe denies this occurred.

Alleged Coordination and Conflicts

Shirley alleges board members failed to maintain proper firewalls between governance and staff management. He presents deposition testimony suggesting that board members like Tiermon and Barton communicated directly with employees, collected grievances, and organized opposition to O’Keefe without his knowledge.

Shirley also raises questions about financial conflicts of interest. He presents testimony suggesting board member George Skakel invested in some of Tiermon’s companies while serving on Project Veritas’ board. Shirley alleges this created potential conflicts, particularly given that one of Tiermon’s companies could potentially be acquired by Pfizer—the subject of Project Veritas’ recent undercover story.

The Suspension

According to Shirley, the board voted to:

• Suspend O’Keefe without pay for two weeks (later made indefinite)
• Revoke his hiring and firing authority for 180 days
• Restrict his access to donors
• Rehire Barry Hinckley and restore Tom O’Hara as CFO

Shirley alleges O’Keefe objected to the donor restriction, arguing it would prevent him from fundraising. Shirley claims O’Keefe was placed in an impossible situation: told to take leave but remain available, and stripped of authority while remaining responsible for fundraising.

Aftermath and Public Disclosure

According to Shirley, the suspension was communicated internally as O’Keefe taking a voluntary break. However, Shirley alleges that when news broke publicly through New York Magazine, donors began requesting refunds, and fundraising “fell off dramatically.” Shirley presents evidence of a cease-and-desist letter from major donors demanding their contributions be returned.

Shirley alleges the board released a public statement on February 20th detailing personal allegations against O’Keefe without his opportunity to respond, which he argues caused further damage and violated proper nonprofit governance.

Why It Matters

This case raises significant questions about nonprofit governance, board oversight, and internal accountability mechanisms. According to Shirley, the events at Project Veritas illustrate how board conflicts of interest, inadequate employee management, and lack of transparent process can lead to organizational crisis. Shirley’s allegations suggest that if the documented conflicts and procedural failures occurred as presented, they represent serious governance violations at a major media organization.

In Nick Shirley’s Own Words

“The board was doing it. I wasn’t really aware that there was a letter being formed.”

“Matt Tiermon used these people. He used them and he discarded them.”

“This was a kangaroo court, like Stalinist show trial… designed to hurt me.”